Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANAMA1788
2006-10-15 14:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:
READOUT OF BAHRAINI FOREIGN MINISTER'S OCTOBER 12
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHMK #1788 2881431 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 151431Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5778 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001788
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2016
TAGS: PREL BA IS SY REGION
SUBJECT: READOUT OF BAHRAINI FOREIGN MINISTER'S OCTOBER 12
VISIT TO DAMASCUS
Classified By: CDA Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001788
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2016
TAGS: PREL BA IS SY REGION
SUBJECT: READOUT OF BAHRAINI FOREIGN MINISTER'S OCTOBER 12
VISIT TO DAMASCUS
Classified By: CDA Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) During an October 15 meeting covering the
U.S.-Bahrain Gulf Security Dialogue (septel),the Charge
asked MFA Assistant Secretary for Coordination and Follow Up
Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa for a readout of
Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa's October
12 visit to Damascus. Noting he had received only a quick
briefing from one of the Minister's senior advisors, Shaikh
Abdul Aziz stated that the visit stemmed from Syria's desire
not to be left out of any possible progress on peace issues.
In his speech to the UN Security Council, Shaikh Khalid had
only spoken about the Arab initiative on the Palestinian
track, but did not raise Syria and the Golan. When asked
about this by SARG officials, Shaikh Khalid had told them
that he had started with the highest priority issue
(Palestine),but that Syria had not been forgotten. Shaikh
Abdul Aziz said the visit came about as a result of this
exchange.
2. (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that Shaikh Khalid met with
President Bashar Al Asad and delivered a message from King
Hamad. The message stressed that Syria must come into "our
camp;" that is, join with the moderate Arab countries, and do
what is necessary to follow up on the Golan Heights issue.
The Bahraini message stated that the Arabs would take up the
Golan cause with full commitment if they observed Syria
cooperating on all matters in the Middle East and Arab world.
The message emphasized that the Arabs' greatest concern is
Syria's relationship with Iran. The Arabs would only take up
the Golan issue when Syria demonstrated its understanding of
the threat Iran poses to Bahrain and other moderate
countries. Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that the message warned
Syria not to get caught up in its own propaganda about
standing up to the United States and Israel. Syria would be
better off joining the moderates.
3. (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that Bashar's only response
was that he would think about the Bahraini points. However,
he made no commitments.
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
ZIADEH
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2016
TAGS: PREL BA IS SY REGION
SUBJECT: READOUT OF BAHRAINI FOREIGN MINISTER'S OCTOBER 12
VISIT TO DAMASCUS
Classified By: CDA Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) During an October 15 meeting covering the
U.S.-Bahrain Gulf Security Dialogue (septel),the Charge
asked MFA Assistant Secretary for Coordination and Follow Up
Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa for a readout of
Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa's October
12 visit to Damascus. Noting he had received only a quick
briefing from one of the Minister's senior advisors, Shaikh
Abdul Aziz stated that the visit stemmed from Syria's desire
not to be left out of any possible progress on peace issues.
In his speech to the UN Security Council, Shaikh Khalid had
only spoken about the Arab initiative on the Palestinian
track, but did not raise Syria and the Golan. When asked
about this by SARG officials, Shaikh Khalid had told them
that he had started with the highest priority issue
(Palestine),but that Syria had not been forgotten. Shaikh
Abdul Aziz said the visit came about as a result of this
exchange.
2. (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that Shaikh Khalid met with
President Bashar Al Asad and delivered a message from King
Hamad. The message stressed that Syria must come into "our
camp;" that is, join with the moderate Arab countries, and do
what is necessary to follow up on the Golan Heights issue.
The Bahraini message stated that the Arabs would take up the
Golan cause with full commitment if they observed Syria
cooperating on all matters in the Middle East and Arab world.
The message emphasized that the Arabs' greatest concern is
Syria's relationship with Iran. The Arabs would only take up
the Golan issue when Syria demonstrated its understanding of
the threat Iran poses to Bahrain and other moderate
countries. Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that the message warned
Syria not to get caught up in its own propaganda about
standing up to the United States and Israel. Syria would be
better off joining the moderates.
3. (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that Bashar's only response
was that he would think about the Bahraini points. However,
he made no commitments.
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
ZIADEH